Dear Councillor

Oct 18, 2013

Dear Councillor,

Given the secrecy of the Urbis and VDM reports which revealed the true economic and ecological values of the Spit and Broadwater, I believe to continue with the current EOI - Shortlist and 'Preferred Tender' process is to proceed on the basis of knowing that elements within public office or employ deliberately withheld important information, data and research from Councillors and the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Board, the very bodies that have been vested by the residents of the Gold Coast with making decisions regarding the BMP based on due diligence, transparency, honesty and duty of care.

To vote for a continuation of the current BMP process is to affirm that withholding documents and reports is a valid as part of the process and acceptable behaviour in order to achieve a favourable outcome for the BMP.

To vote for a continuation of the current process reinforces that the type of behaviour we have witnessed in relation to the attempted suppression the VDM and Urbis reports (and other Broadwater Masterplan reports we believe may exist and are still not in the public domain)is acceptable; that transparency, honesty, true community consultation and the tabling of publicly funded documents for scrutiny and analysis are not a necessary part of the process in determining the use(s)of valuable public assets.

It appears that those who are pushing for the cruise terminal and associated casino-resort developments, or as the latest PR coming from the Mayor's Office suggests 'an integrated resort development with a cruise ship terminal' on the Spit and Broadwater will be rewarded with a vote that supports the continuation of an already highly questionable process of 'community consultation' and decision-making.

A vote of 'no' or an abstention tomorrow, however, will be a signal that the numerous transgressions the Gold Coast Community has witnessed in relation to proper probity, transparency, due diligence, duty of care and duty to community will no longer be tolerated.

The vote tomorrow is not about whether the BMP should proceed to the next stage but how this Council wants to conduct its business, in a highly professional, moral, transparent and ethical manner or to continue with the numerous transgressions to proper processes that I have outlined above. Tomorrow is the day that the current GCCC will determine its future decision-making culture not just in relation to the BMP but for all decisions it makes for the remainder of its term.